Immigration: Is Demography Destiny
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Think Tank with Ben Wattenberg is a half-hour weekly discussion show focusing on deeper trends, conditions, and ideas behind the week's headlines. Think Tank has been broadcast nationally on PBS each week since 1994 and is now available online.
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Immigration: Is Demography Destiny
Here's a surprising headline: Illegal Immigration Is Down. Why? Today we'll look at the state of immigration in America and its role in Presidential politics. Joining us are Jeffrey Purcell, Senior Demographer at the Pew Hispanic Center, ...
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American Education: Grading Our Classrooms
Over the past fifty years the number of students in America has doubled and the number of teachers has tripled! Yet students in the United Stats are underperforming comparatively to many countries worldwide. What does the government need to do under the next...
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The American Economy - Can It Be Saved?
The economy is at the top of every newscast and campaign speech these days. Words like bailout, stock market crash, recession and depression are flying around Wall Street and Main Street. Joining me today on think tank is special co-host Eric Felton - a regular ho...
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What does the President do on Nov. 5th?
Here’s a bold prediction: On November 4, 2008 America will elect a new president, and on January 20 2009 that president will take office! I’ve no idea who is going to win and neither does anyone else, but our guests today do know something about what a new p...
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Can We Cure Our Health Care System?
One of the most important issues in this year's Presidential election is health care. Now, modern medicine has provided miracles, but can access and cost and quality be improved. Joining us to discuss the future of health car...
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LBJ's Legacy
On August 27, 2008, Lyndon Johnson would have turned 100 years old. Think Tank examines the social programs created during his administration and the impact of the Vietnam War on his legacy....
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The Olympic Politics of Sport
The Olympics in China will dominate the news in August of 2008, but in 1960, the eyes of the world turned to Italy, to Rome for the Summer Olympic Games. Over 18 days, sports gave us glimpses of what the modern world will look like: Cold War political scandals...
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Election 2008: What We Do and Don't Know
A new President will soon lead the nation. As the campaigns enter the home stretch, Think Tank is joined by political scientist election expert, John Fortier of the American Enterprise Institute to discuss the elections of 2008 with no spin. The topic...
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The World of Herb London
Think Tank is joined by Herb London, a true poly man, President of the Hudson Institute and former Dean of the Gallitan School within New York University where the curriculum is still based on the great books. The topic before the house: The World of He...
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Is the Media Machine Broken?
E.J. Dionne and Newt Gingrich discuss the state of the modern media landscape...
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What's a Neocon?
What’s a neocon? And why does it matter...
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There's no Place like your Home
Our guest today on Think Tank is Alex J. Pollack, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and past President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago. The topic before the house: There’s no place like your home...
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Is "Lobby" a four-letter word?
Meredith McGehee of the Campaign Legal Center, James Thurber of American University and Journalist Michael Gerson discuss the current and hisorical role of Lobbying in Washington. Is it a good thing for the public?...
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William Safire, a Gem of an American
William Safire, Pulitzer Prize winning political columnist is the author of more than 25 books. He is a legendary language expert and has been examining America’s politics for over 40 years. The new edition of Saphire’s political dictionary was r...
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Israel at 60 Part 3
Israel at 60 part 3, with Judy Miller, Joseph Joffe, Stanley Fischer on location in Herzliya, Israel...
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Israel at 60 Part 2 - Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin Netanyahu served as prime minister of Israel during a decisive period in the late 1990’s. Amongst fiscal turmoil and the terror of the 2nd Intifada, Netanyahu revitalized the Israeli economy. ...
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Israel at 60 Part 1 - Natan Sharansky
Over the past 60 years Israel has moved from a poor nation to an economic power. In this, the first of three episodes on Israel at 60 we talk with Natan Sharansky, former famous political prisoner and activist- whose imprisonment brought the eyes of the world on cold wa...
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American Entertainment Quo Vadis?
Think Tank travels to Hollywodd to discuss the future of the entertainment industry, amidst a writers strike and the digital innovations being made in distribution...
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Ben Stein's America
Ben Stein is an author, actor, speech writer and columnist. He has unique views which we shall explore. The topic before the house: Ben Stein’s America...
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Digging for History
The living history here in Jerusalem is only rivaled by what may exist just below the surface. Israeli archeologist, Dr. Eliat Mazar joins us to talk about her excavations at the ancient city of David - And Professor Haneed Nour El-Din of Al Quds University of...
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Are We What we Eat?
In the last 25 years Americans have eaten less fat and exercised more. Yet, the incidents of obesity and type two diabetes have increased. What happened? For an examination we are joined by Gary Taubs, science journalist and author of the new book Good Calor...
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Heroic Conservatism: Michael Gerson
Former chief speechwriter for president Bush discusses the white house and his new book Heroic Conservatism...
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Jacob Frankel
Our guest is Jacob Frenkel, the former Governor of the Bank of Israel, roughly the equivalent of the American Federal Reserve Bank.While serving as Governor, he helped transform the Israeli economy. The topic before the house: Jacob Frenkel, Israel, the...
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Global or Verbal Warming
Our guest today is Bjorn Lomborg of the Copenhagen Consensus Center and author of "Cool It". Is the world speding properly on Global Warming, are other issues being neglected in the rush to go green?...
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James Q Wilson Part 2
When President Bush awarded James Q. Wilson the Medal of Freedom, he noted that Wilson writes with intellectual rigor and moral clarity. Jim Wilson’s insights have placed him amongst the great social thinkers of our time....
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James Q Wilson Part 1
Thinking Things through with James Q. Wilson. Part 1 ...
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Tom Wolfe and the Derriere Guard
Tom Wolfe has been part of reporting and shaping our cultural landscape throughout his prolific career. His approach to reporting ushered in what was refered to as New Journalism and he has penned many bestselling books. Think Tank caught up with Tom Wolfe in Manhattan ...
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Iranian Runaround
American policy on Iran has been based on the idea that the country is trying to build a nuclear weapon. A recent intelligence estimate indicates that Iran's nuclear program may have been stopped years ago. What does this mean for future policy towards the country. ...
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Elon Musk and the Frontiers of Technology
Elon Musk, 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year, discusses his company SpaceX from their factory floor. SpaceX hopes to privatize space exploration, and the company has been growing at a rapid pace. Elon Musk, after being on the development team that created and sold PayPal, t...
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Feeling Secure in a Time of Terror
Brian Jenkins, a senior advisor at the RAND corporation sits down to discuss the global impacts of terrorism and the history of terror as a weapon on the world stage. ...
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Akbar Ahmed:Journey into Islam
World renown Muslim scholar Akbar Ahmed offers a coherent explanation of Islam in the context of our modern world. ...
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Dave Zirin: Sports, Is it just a game?
Writer Dave Zirin and former Defense Secretary William Cohen discuss political and social implications of the modern landscape in profesisonal sports...
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The Great Upheaval 1788-1800 with Jan Winik
At the end of the 18th century a remarkable group of leaders and philosophers presided over a ferment that would change the world forever. Over 12 turbulent and violent years reform swept through France, Russia and a fragile newborn America. To explore the magnitude of ...
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Economic Bubbles with Dan Gross
Dan Gross, NEWSWEEK writer and author of POP! discusses Economic bubbles and the importance they have played historically in stimulating the U.S. economy...
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Al Shanker: Tough Liberal
Richard Kahlenberg, author of "Al Shanker: Tough Liberal" Discusses Albert Shanker's life and importance in the modern history of public education. ...
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Public Diplomacy, Broadcasting in the war of
Memories of the Cold War often focus on the military standoff or the intrigue of espionage, but some believe that the war was truly one with “soft power,” “public diplomacy” and a war of ideas. Witness the case of Voice of America, Radio Free Eur...
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Francis Collins Part 2
Dr. Francis Collins, head of the Human Genome Research project at the National Institutes of Health and author of "The Language of God" ...
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Francis Collins Part 1
Dr. Francis Collins, head of the Human Genome Research project at the National Institute of Health and author of : The Language of God. ...
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Immigration Reform
Hello, I'm Ben Wattenberg. Immigration reform is perhaps the most dominant domestic issue on the political scene today. Few other topics demand such passion from all along the political spectrum. President Bush's plan for a guest w...
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William and Janet Cohen: Love in Black and Wh
There isn’t another Washington power couple quite like Janet and Bill Cohen. She is a former model, television journalist and CEO of her own communications firm. And he is a Republican former Congressman and Senator from Maine and Secretary of Defense ...
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The End of Government As We Know It
In recent years a new philosophy of government has tried to emerge blending the best of liberal and conservative ideas. This approach has been called the Third Way. Elaine Kamarck has been at the center of this activity. The End of Government As We Know It, this w...
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Robert Novak: Prince of Darkness PT.2
In Washington journalistic circles Bob Novak is known as the Prince of Darkness and that is the title of his forthcoming memoir. He tells stories, explains his changing views and offers some harsh judgments. Bob Novak: 50 years in the political cauldron, thi...
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Robert Novak: The Prince of Darkness PT.1
In Washington journalistic circles Bob Novak is known as the Prince of Darkness and that is the title of his forthcoming memoir. He tells stories, explains his changing views and offers some harsh judgments. Bob Novak: 50 years in the political cauldron, thi...
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The Economy: "Will the Sky Fall?" Pt1
At a major economic conference, former U.S. senator and President of the New School, Bob Kerrey discusses deficits and poses the question, "is our conventional economic wisdom wrong?" 8:00 min....
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The Economy: "Will the Sky Fall?" Pt2
In his opening remarks, former chairman and CEO of Loral Space and Communications Inc., Bernard Schwartz, stresses that economists should remain optimistic about the United States' fiscal future. 3:20 min ...
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The Economy: "Will the Sky Fall?" Pt3
In an interview with Think Tank's Ben Wattenberg, former chairman and CEO of Loral Space and Communications Inc., Bernard Schwartz, stresses the importance of public investment in education, healthcare and infrastructure to prevent the economic sky fr...
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The Economy: "Will the Sky Fall?" Pt4
Always expect the economically unexpected. This is the message expressed by the panel of U.S. economic experts gathered to debate the future of both the American and the global economies. 17:30 min...
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The Economy: "Will the Sky Fall?" Pt5
Panelists assert that in order to ensure the United States' economic stability, the government must tackle several critical problems facing the nation's infrastructure. 18:00 min...
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The Economy: "Will the Sky Fall?" Pt6
Panelists address U.S. economic issues ranging from the current housing crisis to the startling uncertainty of the derivatives market during a brief question and answer session. 15:10 min...
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The Economy: "Will the Sky Fall?" Pt7
This panel of US Senators asks. "How can we make the global economy work for us?" With the burdens of growing trade and budget deficits the U.S. must reevaluate how it views its current economic situation in order to remain competitive in an in...
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The Economy: "Will the Sky Fall?" Pt8
The Senatorial Colloquium continues as panelists debate over how to best manage the U.S.'s rapidly growing national debt to avoid a fiscal crisis. 17:20 min....
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The Economy: "Will the Sky Fall?" Pt9
During the question and answer session, Senators address how reevaluating social security and Medicare, as well as restructuring how the nation deals with illegal immigration, could positively affect the national deficit. 17:20 min....
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The Economy "Will the Sky Fall?" Pt10
Panelists discuss the state of the current U.S. economy and project where it is headed within the next several years. Should Americans anticipate the worst or is this just another example of ever-changing global imbalances? 21:30 min...
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The Economy "Will the Sky Fall?" Pt11
How should the U.S. government focus on making investments for the future? Panelists weigh in on how free trade, education and middle class wage compression are affecting the way Americans feel about their economic security. 18:00 min...
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The Economy "Will the Sky Fall?" Pt12
Panelists discuss the ideas of universal health care as well as a better unemployment system during a brief question and answer session. 6:00 min....
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The American Musical, Part 2
From Showboat to The Lion King, from Oklahoma to Chorus Line, the lights of Broadway burn brightly in the imaginations of millions of people around the world. The Broadway Musical is a unique 20th century art form, combining comedy and romance, music and dance.&nb...
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The American Musical, Part 1
From Showboat to The Lion King, from Oklahoma to Chorus Line, the lights of Broadway burn brightly in the imaginations of millions of people around the world. The Broadway Musical is a unique 20th century art form, combining comedy and romance, music and dance.&nb...
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One Nation, One Standard
“The Hispanic community doesn’t care about education as much as other minority groups.” This is the controversial claim of Herman Badillo’s immigrant education reform manifesto, One Nation One Standard. Badillo himself embodies the idea of ...
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America, Quo Vadis? Part 2
Arguments about military strategies for the conflict in Iraq fill the news but do they squeeze out a discussion about America’s broader foreign policy challenges in the region. Do all roads lead to the Middle East? What are the limits of diplomacy? Today&rsq...
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America, Quo Vadis? Part 1
Arguments about military strategies for the conflict in Iraq fill the news but do they squeeze out a discussion about America’s broader foreign policy challenges in the regions. Do all road’s lead to the Middle East? What are the limits of diplomacy? T...
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The Ethiopian Exodus, Part 2
At the end of 1984 and in May of 1991 the Israeli government orchestrated 2 massive covert operations to transport virtually the entire Ethiopian Jewish community to Israel. The first was codenamed Operation Moses; a six week campaign to secretly transport 8000 Et...
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The Ethiopian Exodus, Part 1
At the end of 1984 and in May of 1991 the Israeli government orchestrated 2 massive covert operations to transport virtually the entire Ethiopian Jewish community to Israel. The first was codenamed Operation Moses; a six week campaign to secretly transport 8000 Et...
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Lipset and Friends, Part 2
When Seymour Martin Lipset died on December 31, 2006. America lost oneof its great political scientists. His works ranged far a field:Political sociology, trade union organization, social stratification,public opinion, and the sociology of intellectual life. He wr...
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Lipset and Friends, Part 1
When Seymour Martin Lipset died on December 31, 2006. America lost oneof its great political scientists. His works ranged far a field:Political sociology, trade union organization, social stratification,public opinion, and the sociology of intellectual life. He wr...
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Breaking Barriers: 1950's College B-ball
In 1950, 3 jews and 2 blacks, all local New Yorkers, made college sports history and helped shift America’s attitudes about racial and religious integration. They were the starting 5 of the City College of New York (CCNY) Basketball team. They are the only t...
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Darwinism vs Intelligent Design, Part 2
In recent decades Charles Darwin’s explanation of evolution through natural selection has been challenged by an alternative theory called Intelligent Design. A growing number of science teachers and school boards are struggling with how to present students with th...
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Darwinism vs Intelligent Design, Part I
In recent decades Charles Darwin’s explanation of evolution through natural selection has been challenged by an alternative theory called Intelligent Design. A growing number of science teachers and school boards are struggling with how to present students with th...
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The Real Mark Twain, Part 2
Samuel Longhorne Clemens, alias Mark Twain, is regarded by many as America’s greatest writer. Ernest Hemmingway said all American writing begins with Huckleberry Finn. Twain’s talents made him the greatest global American celebrity of his time. But beyond th...
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The Real Mark Twain, Part 1
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, alias Mark Twain, is regarded by many as America’s greatest writer. Ernest Hemmingway said all American writing begins with Huckleberry Finn. His talents made him the greatest global American celebrity of his time. But beyond the witty tu...
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The GOP on the Ropes?
The 2006 mid-term elections are rapidly approaching, campaigns are swinging into high gear, and the gloves are coming off. This election season promises to be as heated as any with a closely divided Congress and a host of contentious issues. Several of the President&rsq...
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Financial Finagling, Part 2
The financial scandals of the last five years have given many American corporations a bad name. From Enron to Global Crossing, from Arthur Andersen to Merrill Lynch, big firms have been accused and sometimes convicted of financial skullduggery in all its forms. This has...
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Has Spitzer Saved Wall Street?
Enron, Worldcom, Tyco, Adelphia – these companies and many others are now synonymous with corporate scandal, greed and corruption. Many Americans have looked to the government to bring Wall Street to heel, and one man has been seen as the most important anti-corpo...
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Financial Finagling, Part 1
The financial scandals of the last five years have given many American corporations a bad name. From Enron to Global Crossing, from Arthur Andersen to Merrill Lynch, big firms have been accused and sometimes convicted of financial skullduggery in all its forms. This has...
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Ford's Fundamentals, Part 2
After nearly a century of making cars, Ford is still one of the most important names in American business. And while much has been written about Ford’s automobiles, there has been comparatively little focus on his life. Today’s guest believes that Henry Ford...
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Ford's Fundamentals, Part 1
After nearly a century of making cars, Ford is still one of the most important names in American business. And while much has been written about Ford’s automobiles, there has been comparatively little focus on his life. Today’s guest believes that Henry Ford...
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The Western: America’s Story, Part 2
Scholars are divided over American’s fascination with the Old West. Some say the Western film is more flawed and less heroic than movie audiences assume. Others say the films reflect the real hardship and courage of Nineteenth Century America. What do Westerns say...
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The Western: America’s Story, Part 1
The Great Train Robbery, considered by many historians to be the first Western film, premiered a century ago in 1903. In the years that followed, generations of filmmakers turned again and again to the stories from the frontier--the conquest of Indian land, the Californ...
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After Katrina, Part 2
Last summer, Hurricane Katrina flooded over 80 percent of the city of New Orleans. President George W. Bush proclaimed a call to action to make the city great again. However, since then the only progress seems to be a confusing patchwork of regulations, plans, and progr...
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The Future of the Constitution, Part 1
The Constitution is America’s framework for government. It has survived over two centuries with only a few amendments. But despite its apparent simplicity, interpreting the Constitution is difficult. Although Americans have a strong libertarian identity, they also...
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Has Neoconservatism Failed? Part 2
In 1989, political scientist Francis Fukuyama argued that the end of the Cold War also brought a certain kind of end to human history. Free markets and peaceful democracy would be the final form human government. But since then, al-Qaeda has attacked America, London, Ma...
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Has Neoconservatism Failed? Part 1
In 1989, political scientist Francis Fukuyama argued that the end of the Cold War also brought a certain kind of end to human history. Free markets and peaceful democracy would be the final form human government. But since then, al-Qaeda has attacked America, London, Ma...
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The Unknown Iraq
The news from Iraq seems to get worse by the day, but is that the whole story? Is there another Iraq behind the scenes, where long-term stability and peace is being established? And has the war in Iraq affected the prospects for democracy in other countries? To find out...
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Fixing Immigration and More, Part 2
America is divided on immigration. Some say that immigration hurts American workers. Others maintain that immigrants are a vital part of our economic engine. President George W. Bush supports a temporary guest-worker program, but proposals in Congress range from buildin...
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Fixing Immigration and More, Part 1
America is divided on immigration. Some say that immigration hurts American workers. Others maintain that immigrants are a vital part of our economic engine. President George W. Bush supports a temporary guest-worker program, but proposals in Congress range from buildin...
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Interview with Margaret MacMillan
At the close of World War I - the "war to end all wars" - leaders of the major powers met in Paris to create what they hoped would be a lasting peace. From the ruins of four bankrupt empires they redrew the boundaries of the modern world. They carved out entir...
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James Fallows on America
Today we are joined by one of the most eclectic minds of journalism and editorial thinking in America: James Fallows. His topics have included Iraq, the market place, Japan, Vietnam, to just begin a long list. Today we are getting his general take on where America has ...
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Civil Rights Then and Now, Part 2
America’s Civil Rights Movement was the work of many people, but one name stands out: the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. His bold and courageous action opened the eyes of the nation to racial injustice. Coupled with President Lyndon B. Johnson’s passionate...
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Civil Rights Then and Now, Part 1
America’s Civil Rights Movement was the work of many people, but one name stands out: the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. His bold and courageous action opened the eyes of the nation to racial injustice. Coupled with President Lyndon B. Johnson’s passionate...
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Rating Rudy, Part 2
In the awful days after September 11th, Americans were inspired by the bold leadership of the mayor of New York City, Rudolph Giuliani. But prior to 9/11 he was both loved and hated, even though New York had experienced a renaissance under his administration. What was t...
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Rating Rudy, Part 1
In the awful days after September 11th, Americans were inspired by the bold leadership of the mayor of New York City, Rudolph Giuliani. But prior to 9/11 he was both loved and hated, even though New York had experienced a renaissance under his administration. What was t...
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Reagan's Imagination, Part 2
President Ronald Reagan led America through one of the most remarkable periods in world history - the end of the cold war. He cut taxes, increased military spending, and aimed to shrink the size of government. He also presided over huge budget deficits, controversy over...
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Reagan's Imagination, Part I
President Ronald Reagan led America through one of the most remarkable periods in world history - the end of the cold war. He cut taxes, increased military spending, and aimed to shrink the size of government. He also presided over huge budget deficits, controversy over...
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Getting It Right In Iraq
America’s presence in Iraq is entering its third year. Despite progress and establishing democracy, violence against Iraqis and American troops continues. What is the best strategy for success in Iraq? Has the game been worth the candle? To find out, Think Tank is...
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Ogden Nash Revealed
"Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker". You may have heard this before and laughed, but like so many other wonderful poems, it has become such a part of American culture that many cannot even remember the source. Well, the author was Ogden Nash. While his...
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